The Grand Old Party had turned in 315,333, or amount 42 percent, of the 754,751 total collected by this afternoon. Democrats had turned in 251,765, or about 33 percent. Unaffiliated cast 183,866, or about 24 percent. Voting concludes tomorrow at 7 p.m.

The only statewide contest this year is Proposition 103, which would boost education funding by raising state income tax and sales tax for five years. Given the Republican no-new-taxes stance, such turnout would suggest 103 faces a tough fight.

Democrats have submitted a new map for congressional redistricting. Here's a look at the metro districts.

Good news for Senate President Brandon Shaffer: A new congressional map from Democrats puts Longmont back in the 4th Congressional District.

Shaffer, a Longmont Democrat, announced on July 4 he would challenge U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, in the 4th District. Longmont currently is in the 4th. But when Democrats submitted their map as part of a redistricting trial, Longmont was in the 2nd District, which is represented by U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Boulder.

The map from Democrats released today is one of three new maps that parties in the redistricting trial plan to submit by midnight tonight. Republicans also have a new map, as do attorneys for two Latino groups.

The new map was created with the goal of “keeping Aurora whole,” but if approved it would pit two of the most effective congressional campaigners in Colorado. And who would prevail if the two congressman had to take each other on?

House Speaker Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, met with the Denver Post’s editorial board before the 2011 legislative session started. He talked about the bipartisan redistricting panel that had been appointed to draw a new congressional map and about possible boundaries. (The panel couldn’t reach an agreement, which is why redistricting now is in court.)

At the time, McNulty said it wasn’t his fault that Coffman couldn’t beat Perlmutter.

McNulty laughed today when reminded about his quote in January. “I made it clear that I was joking,” he said.

Both Coffman and Perlmutter represent Aurora. Perlmutter, of Golden, represents the northern portion, along with portions of Adams and Jefferson counties. Coffman, of Aurora, represents the southern half of the city, along with all of Douglas and Elbert and portions of Arapahoe, Jeffco and Park counties.

GOP attorney Alan Hale said Republicans drew a new map over the weekend because Chief Judge Robert Hyatt indicated in his questioning that he wondered why Aurora had to be split. In fact today, when GOP attorney Richard Westfall criticized Democrats for splitting Windsor, the judge raised that very point. That’s when Republicans said they had a new map.

An attorney representing two Latino groups today blasted redistricting proposals from Republicans and Democrats, saying they’re aimed at fostering partisan interests and and don’t take into account Hispanic growth over the last two decades.

Meanwhile, Republicans said they plan to introduce yet another map this afternoon that keeps Aurora whole instead of splitting it in their earlier proposal.

Final arguments in a redistricting trial in Denver District Court began at 8:30 this morning. None of the attorneys wore Halloween costumes, but state Rep. Dan Pabon, who was seated in the courtroom, tweeted that he came dressed as part of the 99 percent. The Denver Democrat wore a sweater instead of his usual suit coat and tie.

Attorney Regina Rodriguez, who represents the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association and the Colorado Latino Forum, made a passionate, civil-rights speech and made several references to U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, although rarely by name.

From left to right, the Denver fans who sparked the Tebowing craze: Lisa Miller, Jared Kleinstein, Robert Tashof, Daniel Male, Abraham Male and Lauren Miller. The shot was taken outside a New York bar last Sunday after the Broncos unbelievable victory over Miami.

The Tebowing craze that kicked off after the Broncos victory over Miami warmed the heart of Denver politico Josh Miller.

The Broncos fans who took a picture of themselves “Tebowing” outside a New York City bar grew up with Miller in Denver.

Lisa and Lauren Miller attended Kent; Daniel and Abraham Male, Robert Tashof and creator Jared Kleinstein went to Rocky Mountain Hebrew Academy;and Miller attended Cherry Creek High School. They were together in the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization.

Miller now is involved in politics. He’s worked for U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Washington and on Michael Hancock’s winning Denver mayoral campaign this year. His friends who live in New York meet at a Broncos-sponsored bar in Union Square. The Post already has detailed the photo and its impact.

Even the Democrats were stunned. It turns out the congressman has a poster of the pesky inspect in his office. “Dendroctonus” means “tree-killer, and “ponderosae” refers to “pine tree.” Westfall quickly moved to another subject.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.